we had a bad experience with a Hotel years ago and decided to get a camper after that so we refer to ours as our portable Hotel suite. Traveling with a house in tow seems a little drastic for this but we know who slept there when we go in and tenting was a young persons thing my wife can't sleep on the ground anymore. I would have to say call it what you will all I can say is that when we go we enjoy ourselves.

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Think about things before you do them make life easier not harder.

I started this blog post yesterday and in less than 24 hours 53 folks have commented. After reading them all, We all have one thing in common. We camp because we love it. It doesn't matter what we call it. Whether camping gives us a chance to spend time as a family (which we don't do at home) or socialize with old and new friends, it is an experience to be cherished, even if for a weekend at a time. I know that my campground opens up on April 15th, and I will be there with a cold beer and a warm fire, awaiting the arrival of my fellow seasonal friends. I once again look forward to smell of bacon cooking. What is it about an early morning walk with a cup of Joe, and the smell of smoke and bacon? It doesn't get any better than this does it? Enjoy the season my friends and be safe!

Dave (Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio)
-I don't often hate, but when I do I prefer to hate the Pittsburgh Steelers!

Like many on the these post, over the past 50 years of camping have run the full bit. Best of memories are from a 9 year old boy sleeping in the back of a ole pu with dad, drinking cold water coffee over the campfire. Did a few years in Boy Scouts and enjoyed every minute of the rainy day campouts. Started my first years of marriage in a Sears tent, then as kids came along moved up to a Colman pop up, which they still have memories of. Served as Boy Scout leader for 8 years or and still see kids, now young men that remember the once a month, year around campouts we had, good times.
As part of the retirement plan moved up to the "Marriott on wheels" and are building new memories, nothing better than having grands kids telling paw paw how good pancakes from the outdoor grill are. And the best one, letting a 10 year old granddaughter telling you she just ate the best grilled chicken ever that she prepared over the outdoor grill. The outdoors is what it is about, sleeping and showering in a Rv does not take away but adds to memories and the experience.

Camping is an elective outdoor recreational activity. Generally held, participants leave developed areas to spend time outdoors in more natural ones in pursuit of activities providing them enjoyment. To be regarded as "camping" a minimum of one night is spent outdoors, distinguishing it from day-tripping, picnicking, and other similarly short-term recreational activities.
Camping may involve sheltering in the open air, a tent, caravan, motorhome, or primitive structure. Luxury may be an element, as in early 20th century African safaris, but including accommodations in fully equipped fixed structures such as high-end sporting camps under the banner of "camping" blurs the line.
Camping as a recreational activity became popular among elites in the early 20th century. With time, it grew more democratic, and varied. Modern participants frequent publicly owned natural resources such as national and state parks, wilderness areas, and commercial campgrounds. Camping is a key part of many youth organizations around the world, such as Scouting, which use it to teach both self-reliance and teamwork.

I started tent camping as a teen with friends and continued when I met my husband. Had kids and got a bigger tent, small pop up, and we just sold our Coleman pup after 23 years of camping fun with our family. We have upgraded to a HTT...just not ready to be fully enclosed yet. My married, 28 year old daughter is so excited to join us in our new camping adventures. My son's fiance never camped before last year with us, and absolutely loves it! Every time we gather around the campfire, we tell stories and share memories of our lifetime of camping. We stayed in a few hotels over the years, when camping wasn't an option...and ya know what? I've never heard...hey do you remember the Hyatt beds, the fridge in the Marriot, the pool at the Hilton....ummm...nope. Not one hotel story to be found. No matter how you do it, or who you do it with, it's camping and it's great. I am looking forward to a third generation of camping with us soon!

I added this Coleman Lantern to my collection a few years ago. It belonged to my parents and I remember it well from "camping" during my childhood. The lantern dates from the late 50's and that is the original box which still has the label stating it came from The Sperry and Hutchinson Co. in Burlington, IA. (that is S&H Green Stamps for you youngsters!) I had to get a replacement fuel cap as the original one would not hold pressure, but it still works like new.